The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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92 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2017 2017 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY JOHN BORTON Taco Charlton developed into a pass-rushing demon and a projected first-round NFL Draft choice over the course of four years at Michigan. Luiji Vilain finds himself in a rush to get there also. The incoming freshman, at 6-4, 238-pounds, demonstrates great burst and relentlessness coming off the edge. One of the top performers at the Under Armour All-America Game, Vilain turned heads, including those of nervous quarterbacks. He hopes to keep that going in Ann Arbor, the sooner the better. " M y p a s s r u s h i s m y strength," Vilain said. "I feel like I'm really good at that, and my run stopping has come a long way. I look for- ward to developing that more with Coach [Greg] Mattison. I look forward to becoming stronger, getting in the weight program." " H e ' s t h a t p ro t o t y p i c a l speed rusher who has multi- ple moves in order to play that five-technique position and get to the quarterback," noted Panos Voulgaris, Vilain's head coach at Episcopal High in Al- exandria, Va. "He's going to be very good at that spot. "Obviously, he has to adjust to the speed and the compe- tition level, but once he gets comfortable and can just go out and play, he has all the physical tools to be exceptional at that spot." Voulgaris noted Vilain's initial step off the line is as good as he's ever seen. The coach saw it in action of- ten, with devastating efficiency. "This might resonate with people who follow Big Ten recruiting and Big Ten players," Voulgaris noted. "Last year, when we were playing The Bullis School, their quarterback was Dwayne Haskins — an excep- tional player, at Ohio State right now and who will start in Columbus at one point down the road. "Bullis lost one game in our league with him as the starter in three years he played there, and it was to us. In that game, Luiji had about 10 quar- terback pressures and four sacks. It was an exceptional performance. We ended up winning, in large part be- cause of the type of game Luiji and the rest of our defensive line had." Voulgaris insisted Vilain will naturally grow stronger and even more effective once he's in a col- lege strength and conditioning pro- gram. The incoming Wolverine said he's getting a head start on gaining strength while maintaining speed. Defensive line coach Greg Mat- tison has high hopes for one of his newest pupils, according to Vilain. "He's great," Vilain said. "I love him to death already. He's a really good coach, and he expects a lot from me. He's going to make me work, but that's the type of guy I re- ally want to play for." Vilain, originally from Ottawa, Ontario, headed to the United States for boarding school at the tender age of 16. "The competition in football in Canada isn't good at all," he explained. "I decided to come here for more exposure. I was already getting offers back in Canada, because I went to camps. "But the competition wasn't really good, and a few coaches wanted to see what I would do against U.S. competition." They did, and Vilain proved his point. He recalled one se- ries against a particularly tough opponent that under- scored his ability to stress an offense, with Episcopal up by four points and only a minute remaining. "I had to give three really good pass rushes, and I did," Vilain said. "I got a sack on one of the downs, and I pres- sured the QB the other two times." There should be less pres- sure on him than on the typical college true freshman. Home- sickness won't be a factor, with two years of boarding school behind him. "It will be easier for me," Vilain said. "Being away from home isn't hard anymore. And, it's a great college town. I can't wait to get to know the people. "It's a great academic insti- tution, and we have the best coaches in college football. There's a lot of NFL experi- ence, and I just wanted to go somewhere where I'd be developed by the best, coached by NFL coaches where I can go to that level." Voulgaris appreciated Jim Har- baugh's approach and stands con- vinced Harbaugh won't be anything but gratified by this result. "He's not just talking to me about prospective players," Voulgaris said. "He's talking to his teachers, his counselors, his other coaches. He's going to do a lot of research to make sure they get the right kids at the University of Michigan. "They're going to get a kid who is as excited as can be to be headed to Ann Arbor, who is going to work relentlessly to be the best player he can be. He'll work to make everyone proud — those who came before him, and hopefully leave a strong and positive legacy for the future." ❏ Luiji Vilain Rushes Headlong Into The Two-Deep Battle Rivals lists Vilain as a four-star talent, the No. 3 prospect in Virginia, and the No. 5 weakside defensive end and No. 74 overall player nationally. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM